Today's gospel, 28 July: Small things
Two parables
In today's gospel Jesus tells two parables which illustrate that, in God's 'economy', size and numbers are not everything. Rather, great good often comes from small beginnings - or as the proverb puts it, "Mighty oaks from little acorns grow".
This important teaching lies behind a saying attributed to Mother Teresa of Calcutta which reminds us that we may not all be able to do great things but we can all do small things with great love. These 'small things done with great love' - acts of love and mercy - may in the end have an influence for God's kingdom way beyond our expectations and may do immeasurable good in spreading the gospel of God's generous love and mercy, and salvation. Today's gospel reminds us that the Lord often chooses to achieve God's purposes, "not by might, nor by power but by my [God's] Spirit" (see Zechariah 4:6).
The gospel Matthew 13:31-35
He put before them another parable: ‘The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed that someone took and sowed in his field; it is the smallest of all the seeds, but when it has grown it is the greatest of shrubs and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and make nests in its branches.’
He told them another parable: ‘The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed in with three measures of flour until all of it was leavened.’
Jesus told the crowds all these things in parables; without a parable he told them nothing. This was to fulfil what had been spoken through the prophet:
‘I will open my mouth to speak in parables;
I will proclaim what has been hidden from the foundation of the world.’
Christian Art
You can find a gentle reflection here:
https://christian.art/daily-gospel-reading/matthew-13-31-35-2025/
Scared Space
You can find a gentle prayer guide and reflection here:
